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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Starting Mat leave early

25 replies

l12d04 · 20/10/2019 18:16

So I'm into my 37th week of pregnancy with next week being my last week at work. I've barely done a thing all weekend just due to exhaustion and nausea that's come back with a vengeance.

I couldn't think of anything I want to do less than go to work tomorrow. I'm full of dread and the week ahead feels like the biggest struggle!!

AIBU to go sick and self cert for my last week? Or should I just man up and struggle through and get it over with?! I don't know if I'm looking for advice or something to just motivate me to grin and bear the next 5 days!

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Shaunieh95 · 20/10/2019 18:18

Definitely self cert. listen to your body at 37 weeks you need all the rest you can get. Don't feel guilty, you need to prepare and take care of yourself. Xxx

csmw · 20/10/2019 18:38

I think if you a sick within 4 weeks of your due date your employer can start your ML early.

mummytobe2020 · 20/10/2019 19:45

OP, why in the world would you ever think you're being unreasonable and should just suck it up when you're feeling so terrible ? It's not a competition, if you feel bad- don't go to work. Stop giving yourself a hard time ! It's important to listen to your body. But as another poster said, your mat leave might be started a week early, as your employer can start it early if you're sick within 4 weeks of your official maternity leave start date.

Relax and take it easy !

Jollitwiglet · 20/10/2019 19:47

As someone else said, if you go off sick it will likely trigger your maternity leave

Missbdhfc · 20/10/2019 20:31

I just decided to say I was going early at 37 weeks. Meant I don't get that extra half term week (I'm a teacher) but the health of myself and baby proved more important than my job or the money. Do what is right for you but if you go sick your ML is likely to start anyway.

NeedAnExpert · 20/10/2019 20:35

SMP regulations will mean that your mat leave starts tomorrow if you call in sick. Any sick leave after 36 weeks triggers SMP.

Original poster

l12d04 · 20/10/2019 20:38

Thanks everyone. I did know that but I completely forgot to be honest. I have annual leave for a week after next week and Mat leave starts on 4th Nov.

If I was to go sick next week, do I get my holidays paid? I wasn't too sure if it's classed as not being able to take them? I work for local government and they do pay holidays if I'm unable to take them before maternity leave, I know a lot of places don't.

OP posts:

Mintypea5 · 20/10/2019 20:38

Have you got any leave to take instead? If you go off in sick 36+ weeks it triggers your mat leave

NeedAnExpert · 20/10/2019 20:41

If you call in sick your mat leave will start and you if you said you intend to return to work you could be expected to take the leave at the end of mat leave rather than be paid for it.

Original poster

l12d04 · 20/10/2019 20:47

@NeedAnExpert I can't take it at the end of Mat leave. I must take it by March as new AL starts in April (with the extension to June for any not taken by March) I won't be returning to work until October.

I suppose I can work from home this week instead of going into the office to save all the hassle and just let things continue as they would have!

OP posts:

Peony99 · 20/10/2019 21:22

Not an expert, but I think legally they have to let you take your annual leave at the end of your mat leave, because unlike other employees you've not had a chance to use it during the rest of the year.

Do check, but when I looked it up that was my understanding.

NeedAnExpert · 20/10/2019 21:25

That’s right. Maternity confers different rights.

Ehupflower · 20/10/2019 21:28

Your leave carries over and you accrue the leave for the year you are off and it carries over to the next year. I work in local government too and it was great as I was able to go back to work after my maternity full time but only actually had to work part time as used my annual leave!

Sunshinegirl82 · 20/10/2019 21:37

Could you explain the situation to your work and ask to bring your leave forward to this coming week and then start your mat leave the week after? Then you don't need to go off sick?

Original poster

l12d04 · 20/10/2019 21:45

@Sunshinegirl82 I did wonder about this but I wasn't sure if I was allowed to bring it forward just through choice, as I thought I had to give 28 days notice. I assumed it was different to going off sick/forced maternity/early labour as that cannot be helped.

OP posts:

NeedAnExpert · 20/10/2019 21:52

Ask to switch your leave then go sick and your mat leave will just trigger a week earlier than planned.

Sunshinegirl82 · 20/10/2019 21:54

It happens all the time in my experience. I think it would be worth a try. Lots of people end up needing to stop a bit earlier than they expected. I'd have a chat with HR and see what they say.

MsChatterbox · 20/10/2019 21:59

If it makes you feel any better I started mat leave at 29 weeks!

Original poster

l12d04 · 20/10/2019 22:15

I've had such a good pregnancy and not so much as an hour off sick all the way through so I naively thought I'd be fine to go as long as possible. The last few days have been completely awful and a week at work seems the biggest task now! I think I may call in the morning and ask to bring my leave forward a week and then go sick and let maternity kick in. They are really accommodating so hopefully it won't be too much of a problem for them!

OP posts:

PixieDustt · 20/10/2019 22:37

Listen to your body.
I was due to start mat leave on 38th week.
I went on leave on the 36th week. I was just sooo tired. I was lucky I had some holiday to use so my mat leave didn't start until DS was 4 days old. I was induced at 38 weeks so glad I actually stopped working at 36 weeks. Gave me time to sort everything out.

Original poster

l12d04 · 21/10/2019 07:36

I've just read the policy on maternity leave and they can only enforce It in the last 4 weeks if I'm off sick due to pregnancy related illness...

OP posts:

NeedAnExpert · 21/10/2019 08:39

Which you are. You wouldn’t be exhausted and nauseous if you weren’t 37 weeks pregnant, would you?

Sunshinegirl82 · 21/10/2019 10:25

Honestly OP, I wouldn't tie yourself up in knots trying to trigger the mat leave somehow. The 28 day requirement is waived all the time. Almost all reasonable employers will agree to bring mat leave forward without 28 days notice because it's quite common for people to need to stop working sooner than they anticipate.

Speak to HR and tell them that you're struggling and you're concerned you will have to go off sick if you can't move everything forward. There's always a chance your employer will be a dick about it but we're talking about a matter of days here, they may well just accept it.

Original poster

l12d04 · 21/10/2019 10:33

Thanks @Sunshinegirl82

I've made it into the office, I was getting worked up over it this morning and felt like it was more hassle than it's worth. I had 2 WFH days this week anyway but I'm just going to do the next 4 at home after today. I've not got much work to do myself as I've wrapped everything up but I've got 2 new members of staff who need a lot of support so i wanted to be in the office for them really, but sometimes needs must and I'm going to do what I can from home!

Thanks everyone for your advice x

OP posts:

xanderllama · 21/10/2019 12:00

I’m about to hit 36 weeks and I’m feeling today is my first day of maternity leave! I’ve had awful back pain this past week, have called in sick and now can’t imagine myself going back before baby is out!

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